Bathing-cap.



No. 799,355. PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905.

W. F. PFBIPFER.

BATHING GAP.

APPLICATION nun mm 1, 1905.

I NVENTOR UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BATHlNG-CAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1905.

Application filed June '7, 1905. Serial NO- 264,142-

lo coZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. PFEIFFER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bathing-Caps; and I do declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to bathing-caps; and the invention consists in a dipped-rubber cap which has a head-opening, as usual, but is so constructed that the said opening can be enlarged to one or another of the several sizes provided for therein and still be sufficiently strong about the opening for all practical purposes. To these ends the invention consists in a dipped-rubber cap having a plurality of separate reinforcing cords or ribs about the head-opening, all substantially as shown and described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a bottom view of my improved bathing-cap, showingthe concentric border-ribs as arranged about the head-opening. Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the cap complete, and Fig. 3 is asectional view of a portion of the cap at the headopening and showing in the original drawing a full-size cross-section of the ribs.

As thus shown, O represents the cap as a whole and which is manufactured by a process of dipping now well known in this art and whereby the entire cap is made in the same operation, several distinct immersions in the rubber being required. The weight or thickness of the cap is determined by the number of immersions; but a standard of weight has come to be adopted which is at least approximately observed. The head-opening c therein also is of the usual or regulation size, and the material is elastic, so as to enable the said opening to be stretched to secure the cap upon the head. However, it has been found that an arbitrary size of opening is not desirable, even with the usual elasticity of the stock about the same, for the reason that in any event a strengthening or reinforcing medium above the opening is required to prevent tearing across the edge thereof, the cap being quite thin, including its edge, and very liable to tear under the usual strain of stretching to place upon the head if not reinforced. Heretofore suitable reinforcements or strengthening means of one kind and another have been depended upon to overcome or prevent this danger; but it has also been found that to protect the opening from tearing a fairly heavy reinforcing medium has been required, and when such a medium is used it is apt to bind so closely about the head that the average person finds it too tight to wear. This objectionis emphasized bythe reason that heretofore there has been but one size of head-opening put on the market and which necessarily has been small enough to accommodate the smallest heads. In this there was no provision for larger heads or more comfortable wear except the elasticity of the opening, and this was found insuflicient, as just indicated. Now I have overcome these limitations by providing a cap which has in itself the means of accommodation to heads of different sizes and possibly to other conditions and in which a comfortable if not a loose fit is desired. To these ends I provide the border of the said opening c with a plurality or series of elastic concentric reinforcing or strengthening cords or ribs 2, 3, and 4, respectively, in this instance; but I may have one or more such cords or ribs and be within my invention. Thus, assuming that the cap as shown has a head-opening of the minimum size manufactured and sold and that in this size it is adapted to be comfortably worn by persons more or less generally, it is obvious that a larger size may be wanted by others, and my new and improved cap is made with respect to this possible want and provides for the same by means of the said spaced cords or beads 2, 3, and 4:, each of which alone has all the reinforcing strength the cap needs about its opening. Hence a purchaser Wanting a larger opening than the cap originally has needs simply to out or rip away the edge of the cap and enlarge the opening all around back to the size he Wants whether it be cord 2, 3, or L, and he has the making of the size in his own hands.

The initial or smaller guard roll or cord 0" immediately about orupon the edge of the head-opening affords a measure of protection to said edge under strain, preventing it from being torn across if carefully used; but when cut away to the cord 2 the said cord 2 becomes the edge guard, and so on.

What I claim is 1. As a new article of manufacture, an elastic rubber bathing-cap formed in one piece and provided with a head-opening and a reinforclug-cord about said opening back from the removed and the said opening enlarged to I immediate edge of the opening and concensuit the user.

trio with said edge. In testimony whereof I sign this specifica- 2. As a new article of manufacture, an elastion in the presence of two witnesses.

5 tie waterproof bathing-cap provided with a VVlLLIAM F PFElFFER head-opening and a series of elastic cords concentrically about said opening and spaced Witnesses: apart one from the other, whereby the stock H. S. FALoR,

outside any one or more of said cords can be PHOEBE A. FALOR. 

